New Ulm weekly review., 1887-09-21

pOSlGlOu pdlutu Ou VI paGleuG aAu
merciful people.
(Writteas for the Reviesc.)
F7rithiof5 Saga
The languages of southern Europe
are noted for their smooth and easy
sounds, and the meIodious flow of their
periods; while the languages of the
north abound in sounds that are harsh
and rude. We are wont to call the
Italian the most musical and poetical
language. From il, the harsh elements
have almost entirely disappeared under
the influence of a sunny climate. But it
would be wrong to infer that the tones
that ring upon the mountain air of the
extreme north are destitute of musical
properties. There is music in the
breeze that ripples the silvery rivulet
or fans the foliage of an orange grove {;
but there is music, too, in the blast that
dashes the ocean wave upon the rocks
and bows the mountain forest to the
earth. Likewise, poetry dwells not only
amid the flowers and under the sunny
sky Of southern climes rising with the
pole-star, it has found home in the
ice.bound regions of the distant north.
The poetical literature of the Scandi-
navian brother-nations is rich in pro-
ductions that deserve to be ranked with
the literary masterpieces OF the world.
Foremost among the northern poets
whose lay has moved and conquered
hearts in every cline, stands Tegner,
the author of the Frithiofs Saga. This
work is justly considered the greatest
modern epic of the north.
On the coast Of Norway, in the dist.
rict of Bergen, stood the temple of
Balder, the god Of the sun. Near it was
the dwelling of Wikingsson, who was
the friend of Belle, the king of that re-
glon. Wickingsson's son Frithiof, and
Ingeborg, the daughter Of the king,
grew up like San oak and rose. AT
ter the death of their parents, Frithiof
wooes his charming playmate. But her
brothers Hedge and Halfdan, who have
been chosen kings. do not favor the
marriage of princess to a peasants
son. Proud Helge declares that ''the
daughter of Walhalla'' can only be won
by the heir Of a king. Frithiof un-
sheathes his sword but remembering
the friendship of his father and the
former king, he sheds no blood. With
a single blow he cleaves in two Helge's $
golden shield, thus severing his alle-
glance to the crown.
In a neighboring country ruled king
Ring, greatly beloved by his people.
Although an aged man with snowy
locks, be sought to win fair Ingeborg.
After consulting a prophecies, Helge
opposes the match. Old Ring now de-
clares war. In vain does Helge entreat
Frithiof to lend his powerful arm to the
cause of Bele's crown. Ingeborg, the
innocent cause of the war, is sent to
Balder's temple, where Frithiof meeGs
her. She persuades him to offer his
services to her brother. But Hedge,
having been informed of this rendez
vous in the sun-good's temple, banishes
i FrithiOf for violation of the sacred law.
j As condition for pardon he imposes
on him the task Of collecting the unpaid
tribute of a powerful vassal on west,
ern group, of islands. Frithiof departs.
In his absence, king Ring defeats Helge
and makes Ingeborg his queen. Hav.
ing subdued the storms of the deep al
well as the warriors at Angantyr's
court, Frithiof returns with the gold
Finding his home in ashes, he rushes t.
q Balder's temple to slay Helge. mad
vertently he throws the image Of th,
god into the fire kept up by the priests
J. and the temple is consumed by th,
). flames. Outlawed on account of thi
], accident, Frithiof becomes pirate. Fo
, three years he is the master Of the seas
( But he cannot forget 1ngeborg. 81
! lands on the coast Of Rings kingdom
) In the disguise Of an old man he ap
) pears at court, at the time Of the Yul
festival. Throwing off his mask, he